Device for destroying submarines.



M. C. STEARNS. DEVICE FOR DESTROYING SUBMARINES.

APPLICATION mg!) JUNE [6. 1911.

1,275,317. Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET r] "I I ,I z: I

1Wmr :QQQQQ 5 mmmm F liu l l/VVE/VTOR ATTORNEY M. C. STEARNS. DEVICE FORDESTROYING SUBMARINES.

APPLICATION FILED mu: l6. 1911.

1 ,275, 3 1 '7. Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

' A TTOH/VEY m: Nomi-s PETERS co FNO'wl-IYNO. wAsmncmu. a a

M. C. STEARNS. DEVICE FOR DESTROYING SUBMABINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. I9!!- 3 SHEETSSHEET 3 Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

-fiFi INVE/VTUR Wan-444 C m BY W W ATTORNEY rrrzns a1. mwmrma. wunmummuv c.

MARCUS C. ST'EARNS,

OF NEW YORK, -N. Y.

DEVICE FOR. DESTROYING SUBMARIN ES.

Application filed June 16, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, MAncUsQS'rEAnNs, acitizen of the United States, andresiding in the borough of Manhattan of the city of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful. Improvements in Devices for DestroyingSubmarines, of which the followingis ,a specification, reference beinghadto the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to devices for destroying submarines in which acontact mine is intended to be released and set by the presence of. asubmarine and to be exploded uponcontact. therewith by the submarine. Indevices of this general character it. is desirable that ,the contactmine be maintained in safe condition against premature explosion untilthe immediatepresence of a submarine in the waters about the mine makesit. desirable ,for the mine to be set for explosion by contact therewithof the submarine. It ,is further desirable in devices of this characterthat they be readily visible upon the surface of the water bysurface-going steamers so long as they are out of use, so that suchsteamers may, by observation, carefully avoid contact with them. Takinginto account this requirement, theimproved devices are adapted to floatupon the surface of the water over an extended area, the many minesbeing bound togetherisoas to form a network of vast area with which asubmarine will necessarily contact when emerging in sucharea. Inaddition to the general advantages noted the improved device alsoprovides for the automatic release of a signal upon contact of thesubmarine with the setting-devices for the contact mines so thatthepresence of a submarine in the immediate waters will be indicated topatrols. A better understand ing of the manner of incorporatingthe-improved principles described in a system of greatarea will bebetter understood in connection with the detailed dGSCIlPtlOlhOf theembodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a schematic view in plan of a network of mines laid out inaccordance with the present plan.

Fig. 2 is a View showing the manner in which the vast floating networkwill be maintainedin position upon .the surface of thewater.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11g.13, 1918.

Serial No. 175,072.

.a manner in which it is proposed that the destroyingmines will be setby a submarine.

Fig. 5 is a detail view .in section on a large scale of one of the minesshowing .it in its normal safe condition, taken on-the plane indicatedby the line 5-5 of F igp9.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of the manner of connecting the :minereleasably to its retaining cable.

Fig. 9 is a detail view in .forrone of the mines.

Figs. .10, 11 and 12 indicate somewhat conventionally the course takenby amine after engagement of its retaining cable by a submarine iuponemerging.

.As indicated most clearly in the first .four figures it is proposedthat the :improyeddevices shall be floated on the surfaceof thewateriand extend over-a comparatively great area, their operation beingdependent upon the emerging ofa submarine in their par.- ticular zone.Fig. 4 shows, for instance, that when a submarine commencestoemerge whenunder the vast networkof mines .proposed, its periscope orothersuperstructure will engage the cables forming the network now to bedescribed.

As shown in Fig. 1 the network :is comprised of ,a series of spider-websquaresof the general form shown in :Fig. 3, in which four stout cableso are connected to large floats b by which the .cables and :theirattached mines are floated. These spider web squares may be of anyconvenientarea de pending upon manufacturing considerations, and maybeconnected one to another in any desired number depending upon theparticular areaof the sea which it is-thought suflici'ent to protect.Each one of the squares thus formed has its spider-web structure formedof smaller running cables 0 extending through rings a carried on thestout cables and fixed in position thereon normally by frangibleconnections, these smaller cables being extended toward the center ofthe square where there may be a stout ringd through which all of thesmaller cables 0 may pass. As'will appear later, it is desirable that:the smaller cable-c formingthe spider-web in each square should .be of.a single running strand so that ardisturbance plan of a jacket ofitatany portion of its lenght will tend to pull it through the variousrings for a greater part of its length and tear such rings, throughtheir frangible connections from their fixed anchorages onthe stout,

cables and permit them to slide freely along such stout cables.

ing engages one of the smaller running cables 0 with its periscope orother elevated structure in some-such manner as is' indicate'cl in Fig'il. V

Referring now to Fig. 5 for detailed description'of the character of themine used,

itjwill be seenithat this'mine is attached firmly. to athe cable a atitsbottom. Each cable has: attached to it a great number of these IPJDBS,asissho'wn in Figs. 1 and 3.

V'Each mine being like every Other mine, a

*closedbya spring-latch f so as'to insure thebuoyancy of the mine andcause it to float in a substantially vertical position above itsretaining cable 0 andwith its 'upper end somewhat above the suri'aceotthe sea. .The'form of retaining device for the mine is immaterialalthough that shown in detail inIFigs. 6-8 will servethe purpose. Asshown therein there are two spaced lugs .g' atfixed to the cable 0 andcarrying :a long rodJz; the ends of which .rest in grooves'z' formed inproximate faces of slotted arms of bracket/r secured to the bottom ofthe mine. 'The slot 70 in the ends otthe arms k communicates witlr thegrooves d sc that when the'arm's 7c rotate about the cable cthrough anangle-ct 180 the slots 70 are broughtinto-line with the retaining" rod hso that the arms may become disengaged from the rod and the minethereby'be releasedtromthecable. The mine is attached to: the cable c by'ine'ansof a small cable Z one end'oi KWhichLis secured loosely to the cable"betweenthe'lugs 9', the other end of which'is' attached-to the bracket7c. This cable Z passes over the latch f for the cover 7 so that whenthe-cable c is pulled violently the lugs-g will in turnimpress a pull onthe cable'l suflicient to' trip the latch 7"" and per mit the cover 7under the influence of a spring f to fly open. Normally,the 1nine in itsupright floating position is incased completely in a'cylindrical jacketon which protects the capse and prevents accidental contactthercwith byany portion of the improved'destroying" devices or by any vessels on thesurface. Within the cover 7" of the mine maybe inclosed:convenientlysuitable signaling devices intended: to indicate 130117116 7 This is thecondition created whenever "a. submarine upon emergpatrol the presenceof a submarine. These signaling devices .may be of any desired absoluteindication of the ,eXactlocation of the submarine. There may also be arocket flare p'or other light'signal carried within the cover 7 and thissignal maybe set off by frictional engagement of a cap Won the edge ofthe cover with the headof the :latch f, upon release of the latter. 1

i From theforegoing description of the details of construction theintended mode of operation of the improved destroying devices should beclear. Normally, the vast network of cables is supported near thesurtaceiotlthe sea by thelarge float b. -The buoyancy of the mines c atthistime is such as to maintain'them in vertical position above theirretaining cables and somewhat above the surface ofthe 'seafth'eair-tight closure of the mine by the cover f serving to preserve thisbuoyancy. 'If a submarine now emerges within the zone'covered by thecables or, in

deed, attempts to pass under thesecables in proximity thereto, theperiscope or other superstructure will engage one'of the lighter cables0 in one'ot the squares and exert such atremendous pull on this cable asto communicate, in turn, a pull on the latch string Z of many of themines of the square. When the latch f is tripped in each such mine thecover. 7 will fly open under the action of the spring 7, theopeningbeing accompanied by ignition of the rocket p by engagement ofthe cap f withthe'nose 0f the latch f. This signal will give the firstindication of the presence of'a submarine. When the cover-1 is lopen theballoon n within the cover will V be tree'to rise and, being unitedpermanently with the mine 6, will maintain its position directly overthe square in which the submarine is operated. Upon the opening of theair-tight cover the mine and casing, will, of 'course', lose itsbuoyancy andtend -to sink being of greater specific gravity than water.Itwill then rock about its retaining cable 0 until it is'in thedepending position shown in Fig. 10, when the slots 70 in the re tainingarms 70 will become disengaged from the retaining rod h, therebypermitting the mine to fall bodily away from the cable;

termined by its securing cable Z and hang depended as shown in Fig. 12.In this con dltlon," with thecasing mremoved and m th1s position somedistance below the surface :of :the sea, :the many mines :thus releasedby beneath the square from which the mines are thus 'released will mostcertainly bring :it into contact withcaps e .of one or *more of thesemines and thereby insure its des'truction. The signals given upon thereleasegof 'each such mine in the storm of the balloon a and the rocketp will attract theattention of patrols and bring them immediately to thescene :whether it'be night or day,- so that even i should =.thesubmarinefail to "contact with one of the: mines .itspresence will "be knownwithlcertainty and,being thuslocated, the chances of itsultimate'destruction hecome great. a a i When *the mines are-floating intheir normalpositions entirely-incased by their jackets m they will bevisible tosurface-going vessels and so may be avoided and their dangerof premature explosions by any disturbing elements is minimized by thepresence of 1 the jackets. Theparticu'l-armeans employed for setting themines "in conditionand in position for explosion are such as practicallyto require the presence of an undersea boat operating *insomesuch'manner as has been described. The two elements then of safety tosurface-going craft bound on legitimate business and certainty ofoperation as against undersea craft are thus embodied in the oneconstruction.

The scope of the invention will appear from the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, meansto float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, and devices forreleasing and setting the mine adapted to be actuated by engagement of asubmarine with the running cable.

2. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, meansto float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, devices for releasingand setting the mine adapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarinewith the running cable, and a jacket in easing the mine and dislodgedupon release of the mine from the cable.

3. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, meansto float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, an air chamber formedin the mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from said chamberadapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the runningcable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable for contactby the submarine.

4. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, meansto float the cable, a mine secured to'the cable, an air hamber formed inthe mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from saidchamberiadap'ted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with therunning cable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable forcontact by thesubmarine, and a jacket iincasingthe mine and dislodgedupon release of the mine from the cable.

:5. A device fordestroying submarines comprising running cable, means tofloat the cable,: -a=:mine secured-torthe cable, an independentflexibleconnection between the. cable and the mine, an airchamberformedin the mine-to:float. it,idevices fol-releasing the air fromsaidchan'ibenadapted to be actuated by enga'gement of a submarine withtherunning cable thereby permitting :the mine to sinkbelow the cable forcontact by the submarine, said flexible connection serving to arrestthemovement-of the mine ata'predetermineddepth below the surface. s

- 6: A device -fo'r destroying submarines comprising a runningrcable,means to float the cable,--a mine secured .to the cable, an .air chamberformed in .the mine to float it above the-cable, said/securing means forthemine being releasable automatically when the mine sinks below .thecable, devices for releasing the i air from said chamber adapted to beactuated by engagement of a submarine with the running cable therebypermitting the mine to sink below the cable for contact by thesubmarine, an independent flexible conrIiCblOIl between the mine and thecable for arresting the movement of the mine at a predetermined depth.

7 A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, meansto float the cable, a tubular mine secured to the cable, an air-tightcover hingedly supported 011 one end of the tubular mine to form an airchamber to float the mine, a latch for holding the cover closed, and aconnection between the latch and the running cable whereby when therunning cable is moved by engagement therewith of a submarine the latchwill be released to open the cover and permit the mine to sink.

8. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, meansto float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, an air chamber formedin the mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from said chamberadapted to be actuated by engagement of asubmarine with the runningcable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable for contactby the submarine, and a balloon attached to the mine and releasedsimultaneously therewith to mark its position.

9. A device for destroying submarines com prising a running cable, meansto float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, an air chamber formedin the mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from said chamberadapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the runningcable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable the mine;

forvcontact by the submarine, and ai rocke-t flare ignited automaticallyupon release of the center, floats to support. all of;;the

squares, mines attached-"to each: running cable, and? devices for.releasing Y and setting the minesadaptedtoibe actuated by engage ment ofa submarine with their; respective running cables.

- "11.A .deviceufor destroying comprising :a running cable,emeans.to-fioat the cable, an explosivemine secured tothe cable and havingexposed caps on -itssides,-1a metal. jacket incasing the mine and openat its lower end and adapted itoslip off-the mine when the latterreverses,itsposition and sinks: below the cable, and devices; :forreleasing the mine from thecable adaptedto be 7 actuated by engagementof asubmarine with the moving cable topermit the mine to sink forcontact therewith .bygthe, sub;- marine. V 11 :V- ii; '51

12. 'A device for. destroying-submarines g m s this patent may beebtained inr flve each; r I wa nz unexp oded; :mine

comprising a; running cable, means to float adapted toil-be actuated byengagement of, a

submarine with the running ,cable; thereby permitting. the ,minesfhayingsuch released chambers to? sink belowthei cable, for; contact thechambersrfof a' pluli-a-lity- 0fsaid;,mines V with Dine? or; moreiofisuc'h released, mines by e :;1

the submarine; and: means for v recovering the comprising Z-af; series;of 9 squares; interlocked and .1each-c0mpr1s1ng-four, stout Gables, -;runsqul rea-i qm'inesj; attached 130; each; runnnig i cable ldeyices -forreleasing and setting :a vpluralityje of? Such mines adapteda to beactuated 'bYQengagement 19f aisubmarinecwith their respectiverunn ngcables; and means for; re- 7 coveri the. unexphd difmin s 1 J Jlh s.pecific tip s gnedt is: 11th day -01 .MAiieIis ,of

